Page 55 - Green Builder Magazine Nov-Dec 2017 Issue

www.greenbuildermedia.com/design

FOR A SUSTAINABLE
DESIGN FUTURE The simplicity of this highly insulated, air-tight enclosure is

coupled with some unique structural details that together create
the perfect efficient, strong home for the LaPalmes, she notes.
To the left side of the home is an elevated second-story, screened-in
porch, where the family can watch the moose, deer and wild cats who
share the property. To stabilize the structure from a shear perspective,
Baczek’s design extended the sheathing “flange” along the interior
ceiling perimeter to four feet, creating a diaphragm along two roof
truss lines. The screen porch frame is then connected to the ceiling
diaphragm with a threaded rod/hold down connection.
CREDIT: HUBER ENGINEERED WOODS blows, it wants to rack back and forth,” Baczek says. “So how do I
“When you put an ‘appendage’ like this on a building and the wind

make that rigid? We put a big bracket with a threaded rod through
the header and that goes back to the sheathing. This allows the screen
porch to tap the strength of the house.”

Master of his domain. Bob LaPalme’s new solar-ready, net-zero LEARNING CURVE
home is where he and his wife plan to live a green lifestyle for the When completed with its corrugated metal siding and front door
rest of their days. porthole windows, the LaPalme home—if it were visible from the
of the home not only aids in eliminating the thermal bridging, but road—would definitely stand out among its mid-century farmhouse
elevates the temperature in the stud cavity. The elevated temperature neighbors. However, in all its uniqueness, three things were expected:
will help to ensure that water vapor will not condense within the its top-level energy efficiency, high-level of durability and resilience,
wall cavity. and consistent indoor comfort thanks to the high-performance design
Like original ZIP System sheathing and tape, which is also used in and construction that comes with every Baczek and Hicks project.
the LaPalme house in 5/8-inch panels on the roof, R-sheathing panels “The beauty of working with Kent is we’re both on an evolutionary
have a built-in water-resistive barrier that eliminates the need for ride,” Baczek says. “As with every project, we’re going to scrutinize
housewrap (and felt on the roof), and creates a fast, rough dry-in. everything we do. It could be something we’ve done 100 times, but we’re
Baczek says having this reliable weather barrier was crucial, because still going to question its relevance to this project. We’re both out to
construction began in November (2016), and the sheathing had to build a better house every time, so we’re on the same learning curve.” GB
withstand months of brutal New England winter.
Kristin Michael is brand marketing manager for Huber Engineered
EVEN TIGHTER ON THE INSIDE Woods, manufacturer of ZIP System sheathing and tape and
As avid users of sheathing products, Baczek and Hicks relied on AdvanTech subflooring product lines.
the streamlined rigid air barrier created by taped panel seams over
the integrated water-resistive barrier. These provide the critical
continuous air barrier on the outside that is designed to connect to
the “internal air barrier.”
Baczek says he uses the ceiling drywall as the interior air barrier
at the ceiling plane. To create a continuous air barrier transition
from the inside (ceiling) to the outside (exterior wall), he uses a
3/4-inch piece of AdvanTech sheathing to create a flange towards the
interior above the top plate of the exterior wall. “It goes out to meet
the R-sheathing panel on the exterior and we tape that joint,” he
explains. “So now the horizontal piece on the inside is connected to
the R-sheathing on the outside. We extend the AdvanTech sheathing
piece by about four inches, and apply a double bead of sealant to
attach the ceiling drywall to. This completes the ‘lid’ of my primary
air barrier.” CREDIT: HUBER ENGINEERED WOODS

DETAILS, DETAILS
This is just one example of the LaPalme house’s unique air-sealing
detailing. Other detailing includes individual holes for wiring, instead
of one large penetration for a group that “could create voids when Air-chitect. Architect Kent Baczek specializes in residential
trying to seal the interior air barrier,” according to Emily Morse, housing designs that achieve ultra-low air changes per hour (ACH)
in blower door testing, and that exceed Passive House minimum
project manager for Kent Hicks Construction. airtightness requirements.

www.greenbuildermedia.com November/December 2017 GREEN BUILDER 53

52-53 GB 1117 Design Ideas.indd 53 11/17/17 11:40 AM